Eleven Schuylkill County firefighters who saved a teenager from a burning home in Coaldale were awarded the prestigious Medal of Valor award during a ceremony Monday in Coaldale.

The medals, presented by the Firefighters Association of the State of Pennsylvania, were the result of the firefighters’ actions at a dwelling fire in the borough on July 23.

The Medal of Valor is the highest award a firefighter can earn, presented to those who have demonstrated exceptional courage, unwavering determination and selfless heroism in the face of danger, going above the call of duty to risk their lives to save others.

The incident happened just before 7 p.m. when crews received a call for a residential structure fire with entrapment. Rescued from the burning home at 44 E. Howard Avenue was a teenager, who was trapped by the heavy smoke and flames. The 13-year-old was flown by a medical helicopter to a burn center, suffering from second- and third-degree burns.

Another person injured was the fiancé of the teen’s mother, who suffered from inhalation and was taken by ambulance to an area hospital.

Fire Chief Steven Polischak said the victims had to be carried out of the burning home.

Recipients of the Medal of Valor included seven members of the Coaldale Fire Department and four members of the Tamaqua Fire Department. They are: Steven Polischak, Matt Jungbear, John Leinthall, Anthony Soberick, Kevin Soberick, Robert Coombe, Jarrett Reigel, Michael Doerr, Lauren Hill, Thomas Polischak and Aaron McLaughlin.

The awards were presented by Coaldale Borough Council representative Jake Adamitis and Frank Zangari, Girardville fire chief, who served as the master of ceremonies.

About 75 people attended the awards program, including borough residents and firefighters from neighboring Tamaqua, Lansford, Summit Hill and Nesquehoning. The Star Hose Company in Emerald also had representation. At least six TV stations were also present.

Chief Polischak gave an account of the day the rescues occurred.

He said the fire alarm was received at 6:51 p.m. on July 23.

He was only two blocks from the scene “and already I saw columns of smoke.”

The 911 dispatcher reported it was a dwelling fire with entrapment and mutual aid was immediately requested.

Polischak said he raced to the scene and was advised someone was inside. He tried to make entry into the home but was driven back by smoke and flames.

When other firefighters arrived, he as well as Jungbear and Leinthall went inside to find the individuals.

Jungbear radioed that he located the victim. They got him to the front porch and other firefighters assisted in completing the rescue.

“Eleven firefighters were needed,” Polischak said. “It was one big team effort. From finding them to removing them, it takes a team.”

“Everybody worked together,” he added.

Polischak looked down the line of the award recipients and said, “Everyone standing here, be proud of yourselves. I can’t thank enough everybody who cared that day.”

He praised the firefighters who provided mutual aid, the emergency medical service workers and the 911 dispatchers.

Zangari told the gathering about the dedication of the volunteers; that they are “men and women who leave their home when there’s an emergency. It doesn’t matter whose anniversary or whose birthdays.”

Other speakers were state Sen. David Argall, a representative from the office of state Rep. Jamie Barton, and Schuylkill County Commissioner Larry Padora Jr.

“It takes a special type of training to go into a burning building and save a life,” Argall said.

Both he and Padora explained how expensive it would be for local governments if there weren’t volunteer firefighters.

The Coaldale Fire Department stated on Facebook that the incident “serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of working smoke alarms and having a practiced home fire escape plan.”